Shannon mother facing kidnap trial

The mother of schoolgirl Shannon Matthews, who went missing for 24 days earlier this year, is due to go on trial charged with her kidnap and false imprisonment.

Karen Matthews, 33, is appearing at Leeds Crown Court along with Michael Donovan, 40, who faces the same charges.

Both defendants have already pleaded not guilty to the kidnap and false imprisonment of nine-year-old Shannon.

They also deny perverting the course of justice. Matthews also faces a child neglect charge.

Shannon disappeared on February 19 and was eventually discovered less than a mile from her home in Dewsbury Moor, West Yorkshire, 24 days after she went missing.

Donovan, of Lidgate Gardens, Dewsbury, was arrested on March 14 after the schoolgirl was found in nearby Batley Carr.

Formerly known as Paul Drake, he is the uncle of Matthews' ex-partner, Craig Meehan.

Shannon vanished after going on a swimming trip. Police mounted a massive investigation involving hundreds of officers and a team of 60 detectives to find her. She was eventually found in a drawer of a bed.